Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2013 16:30:53 GMT -6
I listened to what you had to say Mike, and in all honesty you said nothing that I didn’t expect you to say.
I knew that you would suggest I have been talking nonsense, I knew you would backtrack and try to argue that you’ve always said how great a wrestler I am after spending months undermining that ability and proclaiming that it pales in comparison to your own. It’s the same mantra you were peddling all of last year.
I’ve been desperately waiting for you to pick up your game to surprise me and show me something new to suggest that you might offer a different challenge…
But frankly, everything feels like déjà vu.
I’m going to stand here and linguistically outbox you because I possess a larger grammar set than 90% of the roster, you’re going to ramble on about how you going to beat me….
No, really this time.
Then we’ll go down to that ring, we’ll cause each other a great deal of physical trauma and then you’ll **** out and I’ll pick up the spoils like I have done for the past three months. The only difference is that this time, when you fail, you won’t be getting another opportunity again. This is your last chance.
You say that it has been proven that when the lights are at their brightest, I have failed to defeat you at every turn? Ignoring that fact that you’ve decided that the Road to the Gold no longer counts, I hate to break it to you Mike that despite the fact you are speaking with so much authority…
What exactly have you beaten me when the lights are at their brightest, one on one, cleanly?
The only thing that you have proven is that, when it comes down to it, you’re completely incapable of outsmarting me when it matters. For all your bragging and assurances that you absolutely will get the job done, Mike, you and I, at least on your evaluation cannot be separated.
Except that is, by the only thing that matters, which is wrapped around my waist.
This is exactly what I mean, Mike, you have created artificial statistics in a desperate attempt to conjure some sort of mathematical edge over me, you’ve done it since day one when you were counting the victories and our head to head records. It is all a front, constructed to convince yourself that you have an edge over me because the actual facts do not allow for you to perpetuate this myth.
Whilst you have spent three months breaking promise after promise, fumbling desperately to furnish some kind of statistical superiority, I have continued to do what I have always said I would. To continue to reign as the undisputed NCW World Champion, tainted victory after tainted victory or not. I am the only one of us who has proven to be telling the truth.
You can stand there and proclaim that you will drive your knee through my face and tear this belt from my dead, cold, hands all you want, it doesn’t phase me. I’ve heard it all before, you’re a dime a dozen. Mindless bravado will only ever get you so far, but eventually you’re going to have to start following through with all of your threats.
At Breaking Away you promised you would defeat me. You failed.
At Mind Games you guaranteed that my reign was coming to a close. You failed.
And this week, at Metamorphosis, despite all you proclamations to the contrary you will fail again.
Mock me all you like, say that I ramble on and on incessantly and take a bunch of convoluted garbage, the fact of the matter is Mike that I have followed through with every single thing I have said and I’ve been proven one hundred per cent correct about. I have stated for months that you merely talk a big game, that you create a bunch of promises you simply cannot fulfil and that you only convince yourself of your total superiority.
When I have stated that I will leave just as I entered, the world champion, I have fulfilled that declaration time and time again, whilst you have promised victory after victory you have failed to live up to your own hype on a repeated basis and this week shall be no different.
When a politician or a leader continues to fail to fulfil their guarantees, they are rarely rewarded for their failures. You, Mike, have been rewarded with opportunity after opportunity despite repeatedly failing to succeed and continually breaking your own promises.
This weekend, you must either finally succeed in fulfilling your own prophecies, or be silenced once and for all.
I said that there are narrow margins in wrestling and this weekend will be no different. We are entering on a level playing field, with all eventualities covered, safe in the knowledge that the only thing that can separate us is who the better men truly is. I am under no illusions that when I beat you, Mike, it will not be by some giant gulf like you have fooled yourself into believing will exist at the end of your fist, it will be one moment of brilliance.
One moment that will separate the good from the great, the challenger from the champion.
The eternal dreamer from the best professional wrestler in the world today.
You can feign respect for my abilities all you want, I know they are disingenuous by your very belief that you will crush me with ease this weekend without my seven foot insurance policy, but I am not going to try and pretend that this will be a walk in a park simply because I am better than you. It won’t be.
This will be a hard fought, desperate struggle to determine who will lead this company forward as the figurehead of New Championship Wrestling. There will be blood, sweat and tears, we will do things to one another that in any other industry would get us arrested and all so we can call ourselves the world champion. Our body’s will be broken and our minds will never be the same again and one man will emerge from this victorious.
One man will be able to call himself the King of the World.
The undisputed NCW World Champion.
The man.
So this is it?
The final chapter in the story of Roberto Verona and Mike Laszlo. The Third Act in a bitter rivalry which has dominated the headline for the past three months. The final conclusion.
You want to talk about sequels, Mike? Perhaps that is what you are, but the problem is that amongst the all the clamour to see you become champion the world seems to have forgotten that a sequel can rarely measure up to the original, generally they only leave a bitter taste in the mouth as people try desperately to replicate a far superior product.
When the time comes for my title reign to come to a close, the fans of NCW may let out a collective sigh of relief, but I guarantee you that a month down the line, they’ll begin to realise exactly what they have lost. When they see that the grass isn’t always greener, they will desperately cling to the remaining nostalgia of the greatest NCW World Champion reign in history.
I’m not stupid, Mike.
I am well aware that one day, I will lose my belt, I am not quite as deluded as you are. But people need to learn that they have to be careful for what they wish for, trading me for somebody with an even bigger ego who is only playing these idiots so he can exploit their support in attempt to gain an edge over me will backfire spectacularly.
Ever since Xander’s historic first title reign came to a close in such a shambolic fashion this company has being crying out for a man of real quality to stand up and restore the honour this belt use to be so richly steeped in and I was the man who has done that.
All across the world people are feverishly awaiting our match this Sunday because people care about this belt again. You’ve played your part, even I won’t try to claim otherwise but ultimately people are no tuning in to see if you can earn your first world title…
They are tuning in to see if anybody can stop me.
I play the villain to create interest, by becoming detestable I have created a lust to see me get my head kicked in, a lust which has translated into interest for this product. Nobody cared about watching Todd steal a belt from Xander, once the initial glory pop wore off nobody care about Ricky Johnson and not even Xander Famularo cared all that much about his last title reign.
Yet now, people are tuning in to watch world title matches again and that is all thanks to me.
I have created the arena in which you are thriving, Mike. Do you think anybody would willingly provide you such artificial support, because let’s face it that is all it is, considering you couldn’t give a crap about the fans. Everyone has gotten behind you not because they truly care about the Mike Laszlo story, but because they are desperate to see me fail.
If I am gone, what do they have left?
A people’s champion who has never cared one iota about the people who watch this product beyond the millions of dollars they pour into this company.
There are some who feel that the sacrifice is worth taking if it means the end of my tyranny, but the truth of the matter is that whether people choose to cheer me or boo me, at least they care about me. You’re the flavour of the month, an artificial challenger created purely by my own machinations whose popularity is built solely on a yearning desire to see my given my comeuppance.
Without me Mike, nobody will care.
You will just be another transitional champion, just like those you’ve made a career of mocking from afar. Despite all of your bravado and delusions of grandeur, you will just be a placeholder until somebody comes along who the audience cares about. Perhaps that is my own fault, for plucking you from the pack with no build, no reason for people to truly invest in you.
Regardless, it is for this reason, as well as my own legacy, that I simply cannot allow you to defeat me this Sunday. One day, there will be a man worthy of taking this belt from me, somebody who has earned his moment in the sun and has the momentum to carry him onto further glories, not somebody who must start from scratch.
Until that moment arrives, I will not relinquish what I have fought so hard to build.
A lot more is at stake this weekend than simply our own personal glory, Mike. The future direction of this company hangs in the balance; will we continue to thrive under my dominion as me and Kelly build a better world or will we throw away all the hard work and start again from scratch simply to facilitate your insatiable ego?
The Roberto Verona Era, as you put it, will not end this Sunday. It has only just begun, just be pleased that ultimately, you have played a major role in the path my title reign will inevitably take. You’re the first step on the road to records which will be unrivalled for years and you will have played a pivotal part in that success.
Sometimes Mike, we have to play a supporting role in a greater story.
This Sunday, you will fulfil that part, as I go on to face new challenges. Your world title assault may be over, but if you’re a wise man you will learn from everything I have taught you for the past three months. One day you’ll get your chance, and next time you may even earn it.
This isn’t the culmination of my story.
It is merely the beginning of another chapter.
I will see you on Sunday, Mike. We will go to war but when the battle is done and smoke clears, it will be me who is stood with my arm raised aloft in defiance as your reigning, defending, undisputed NCW World Champion.
The Saviour of New Championship Wrestling.
I knew that you would suggest I have been talking nonsense, I knew you would backtrack and try to argue that you’ve always said how great a wrestler I am after spending months undermining that ability and proclaiming that it pales in comparison to your own. It’s the same mantra you were peddling all of last year.
I’ve been desperately waiting for you to pick up your game to surprise me and show me something new to suggest that you might offer a different challenge…
But frankly, everything feels like déjà vu.
I’m going to stand here and linguistically outbox you because I possess a larger grammar set than 90% of the roster, you’re going to ramble on about how you going to beat me….
No, really this time.
Then we’ll go down to that ring, we’ll cause each other a great deal of physical trauma and then you’ll **** out and I’ll pick up the spoils like I have done for the past three months. The only difference is that this time, when you fail, you won’t be getting another opportunity again. This is your last chance.
You say that it has been proven that when the lights are at their brightest, I have failed to defeat you at every turn? Ignoring that fact that you’ve decided that the Road to the Gold no longer counts, I hate to break it to you Mike that despite the fact you are speaking with so much authority…
What exactly have you beaten me when the lights are at their brightest, one on one, cleanly?
The only thing that you have proven is that, when it comes down to it, you’re completely incapable of outsmarting me when it matters. For all your bragging and assurances that you absolutely will get the job done, Mike, you and I, at least on your evaluation cannot be separated.
Except that is, by the only thing that matters, which is wrapped around my waist.
This is exactly what I mean, Mike, you have created artificial statistics in a desperate attempt to conjure some sort of mathematical edge over me, you’ve done it since day one when you were counting the victories and our head to head records. It is all a front, constructed to convince yourself that you have an edge over me because the actual facts do not allow for you to perpetuate this myth.
Whilst you have spent three months breaking promise after promise, fumbling desperately to furnish some kind of statistical superiority, I have continued to do what I have always said I would. To continue to reign as the undisputed NCW World Champion, tainted victory after tainted victory or not. I am the only one of us who has proven to be telling the truth.
You can stand there and proclaim that you will drive your knee through my face and tear this belt from my dead, cold, hands all you want, it doesn’t phase me. I’ve heard it all before, you’re a dime a dozen. Mindless bravado will only ever get you so far, but eventually you’re going to have to start following through with all of your threats.
At Breaking Away you promised you would defeat me. You failed.
At Mind Games you guaranteed that my reign was coming to a close. You failed.
And this week, at Metamorphosis, despite all you proclamations to the contrary you will fail again.
Mock me all you like, say that I ramble on and on incessantly and take a bunch of convoluted garbage, the fact of the matter is Mike that I have followed through with every single thing I have said and I’ve been proven one hundred per cent correct about. I have stated for months that you merely talk a big game, that you create a bunch of promises you simply cannot fulfil and that you only convince yourself of your total superiority.
When I have stated that I will leave just as I entered, the world champion, I have fulfilled that declaration time and time again, whilst you have promised victory after victory you have failed to live up to your own hype on a repeated basis and this week shall be no different.
When a politician or a leader continues to fail to fulfil their guarantees, they are rarely rewarded for their failures. You, Mike, have been rewarded with opportunity after opportunity despite repeatedly failing to succeed and continually breaking your own promises.
This weekend, you must either finally succeed in fulfilling your own prophecies, or be silenced once and for all.
I said that there are narrow margins in wrestling and this weekend will be no different. We are entering on a level playing field, with all eventualities covered, safe in the knowledge that the only thing that can separate us is who the better men truly is. I am under no illusions that when I beat you, Mike, it will not be by some giant gulf like you have fooled yourself into believing will exist at the end of your fist, it will be one moment of brilliance.
One moment that will separate the good from the great, the challenger from the champion.
The eternal dreamer from the best professional wrestler in the world today.
You can feign respect for my abilities all you want, I know they are disingenuous by your very belief that you will crush me with ease this weekend without my seven foot insurance policy, but I am not going to try and pretend that this will be a walk in a park simply because I am better than you. It won’t be.
This will be a hard fought, desperate struggle to determine who will lead this company forward as the figurehead of New Championship Wrestling. There will be blood, sweat and tears, we will do things to one another that in any other industry would get us arrested and all so we can call ourselves the world champion. Our body’s will be broken and our minds will never be the same again and one man will emerge from this victorious.
One man will be able to call himself the King of the World.
The undisputed NCW World Champion.
The man.
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As the NCW crew begin to close down the show for another night the NCW World Champion walks through the corridors, a bag over his shoulder, darting his head around sheepishly as he tries to keep his eyes open for somebody. Just as he reaches the exit however, the figure of Kelly Fox comes rushing hastily down the corridor after him, her nostrils flares as her blonde hair bounces up and down before she stands a few feet away, her hands on her hips.
Verona, don’t you dare move a muscle.
Verona closes his eyes and sighs, letting go of the door handle to turn around, a big smile plastered across his face.
Kelly… what a pleasant surprise.
Don’t sass me. What the hell do you think you’ve been playing at ignoring me? Do you realise how many times I’ve tried to call you? I’ve even waited for you backstage after your matches but you’ve some slipped beyond me.
Anyone would think I didn’t want to be found.
Don’t play games with me, Roberto. Why have you being avoiding me?
The answer to your question is what’s seven foot tall, devoid of charisma and incapable of taking basic commands?
Oh come on, you can’t blame me for Lex’s actions. I said I was sorry, I never thought he’d disobey me.
Then take a deep breath and relax, I don’t blame you.
Kelly cocks her head in puzzlement.
Then why have you been going into hiding? Obama had an easier time of locating Bin Laden then I did trying to find you.
Do you remember what I said?
Kelly takes a moment to wrack her brain mulling over her response before answering.
About what? Lex?
Yes. I told you that if he messed up, I would be forced to act. Well, I’ve been a very busy boy.
Roberto smiles wryly as he recalls his latest assault on Nathan Webb.
So that’s what that little stunt was about…
You ought to be thanking me for punishing that waste of oxygen for everything he did to you and your husband.
I never said I didn’t enjoy it….
Kelly laughs before suddenly stopping hesitantly.
Just…
Just what?
What are your motives?
Verona can hardly hold a straight face before he bursts out laughing as Kelly looks at him, confused.
Oh, Kelly, that’s adorable.
What is?
You’re worried I might betray you.
Why wouldn’t you? Plenty of others have and we’ve hardly had the best of pasts.
I’ve no desire to topple you from your throne. Far from it, you’re much more use to me as CEO. I never craved absolute power, Kelly, and I still don’t. I promised to build you a better company and that is exactly what me, Xander and Jake are going to do. With you as the figurehead, just as we agreed.
Perhaps I underestimated you.
You’d be stupid not to Kelly, if I was a lesser man I’d have usurped you weeks ago and made sure you would never step foot inside this company again. I don’t want to rule, I am quite happy facilitating change through you. The Hierarchy did one thing right, they put you in the oval office.
Kelly lets out a little sigh of relief, that she does her best to mask.
So I can trust you?
Yes, you can, but you’d be stupid to trust me utterly. Don’t trust anybody, Kelly. Even your closest friends can stab you in the back if it will profit them, and whilst I can guarantee that I am not a moral abortion like half of the roster you would do better to keep your wits about you to stay on top. Your father was sloppy, and he paid for it.
Your little project won’t be interfering with your relationship then?
Of course not. I will continue to act in the best interests of NCW, as we agreed. I may not come to you with everything, Kelly, but it will always be for the best and you will only benefit in the long run.
That’s all well and good, but can you promise me one thing?
Yes?
Don’t ignore me again, I’m not an opponent you can toy with.
Kelly pushes Roberto’s shoulder playfully as he smiles at the CEO.
Deal.
Listen… if it’s a good time I want to talk to you about something?
Now’s as good a time as any, what’s on your mind?
Your match at Metamorphosis, I’m concerned.
Don’t be, I’ll still be the face of this company come the close of the pay per view, belt or no belt.
Be that as it may, I was wondering if…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the NCW crew begin to close down the show for another night the NCW World Champion walks through the corridors, a bag over his shoulder, darting his head around sheepishly as he tries to keep his eyes open for somebody. Just as he reaches the exit however, the figure of Kelly Fox comes rushing hastily down the corridor after him, her nostrils flares as her blonde hair bounces up and down before she stands a few feet away, her hands on her hips.
Verona, don’t you dare move a muscle.
Verona closes his eyes and sighs, letting go of the door handle to turn around, a big smile plastered across his face.
Kelly… what a pleasant surprise.
Don’t sass me. What the hell do you think you’ve been playing at ignoring me? Do you realise how many times I’ve tried to call you? I’ve even waited for you backstage after your matches but you’ve some slipped beyond me.
Anyone would think I didn’t want to be found.
Don’t play games with me, Roberto. Why have you being avoiding me?
The answer to your question is what’s seven foot tall, devoid of charisma and incapable of taking basic commands?
Oh come on, you can’t blame me for Lex’s actions. I said I was sorry, I never thought he’d disobey me.
Then take a deep breath and relax, I don’t blame you.
Kelly cocks her head in puzzlement.
Then why have you been going into hiding? Obama had an easier time of locating Bin Laden then I did trying to find you.
Do you remember what I said?
Kelly takes a moment to wrack her brain mulling over her response before answering.
About what? Lex?
Yes. I told you that if he messed up, I would be forced to act. Well, I’ve been a very busy boy.
Roberto smiles wryly as he recalls his latest assault on Nathan Webb.
So that’s what that little stunt was about…
You ought to be thanking me for punishing that waste of oxygen for everything he did to you and your husband.
I never said I didn’t enjoy it….
Kelly laughs before suddenly stopping hesitantly.
Just…
Just what?
What are your motives?
Verona can hardly hold a straight face before he bursts out laughing as Kelly looks at him, confused.
Oh, Kelly, that’s adorable.
What is?
You’re worried I might betray you.
Why wouldn’t you? Plenty of others have and we’ve hardly had the best of pasts.
I’ve no desire to topple you from your throne. Far from it, you’re much more use to me as CEO. I never craved absolute power, Kelly, and I still don’t. I promised to build you a better company and that is exactly what me, Xander and Jake are going to do. With you as the figurehead, just as we agreed.
Perhaps I underestimated you.
You’d be stupid not to Kelly, if I was a lesser man I’d have usurped you weeks ago and made sure you would never step foot inside this company again. I don’t want to rule, I am quite happy facilitating change through you. The Hierarchy did one thing right, they put you in the oval office.
Kelly lets out a little sigh of relief, that she does her best to mask.
So I can trust you?
Yes, you can, but you’d be stupid to trust me utterly. Don’t trust anybody, Kelly. Even your closest friends can stab you in the back if it will profit them, and whilst I can guarantee that I am not a moral abortion like half of the roster you would do better to keep your wits about you to stay on top. Your father was sloppy, and he paid for it.
Your little project won’t be interfering with your relationship then?
Of course not. I will continue to act in the best interests of NCW, as we agreed. I may not come to you with everything, Kelly, but it will always be for the best and you will only benefit in the long run.
That’s all well and good, but can you promise me one thing?
Yes?
Don’t ignore me again, I’m not an opponent you can toy with.
Kelly pushes Roberto’s shoulder playfully as he smiles at the CEO.
Deal.
Listen… if it’s a good time I want to talk to you about something?
Now’s as good a time as any, what’s on your mind?
Your match at Metamorphosis, I’m concerned.
Don’t be, I’ll still be the face of this company come the close of the pay per view, belt or no belt.
Be that as it may, I was wondering if…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
So this is it?
The final chapter in the story of Roberto Verona and Mike Laszlo. The Third Act in a bitter rivalry which has dominated the headline for the past three months. The final conclusion.
You want to talk about sequels, Mike? Perhaps that is what you are, but the problem is that amongst the all the clamour to see you become champion the world seems to have forgotten that a sequel can rarely measure up to the original, generally they only leave a bitter taste in the mouth as people try desperately to replicate a far superior product.
When the time comes for my title reign to come to a close, the fans of NCW may let out a collective sigh of relief, but I guarantee you that a month down the line, they’ll begin to realise exactly what they have lost. When they see that the grass isn’t always greener, they will desperately cling to the remaining nostalgia of the greatest NCW World Champion reign in history.
I’m not stupid, Mike.
I am well aware that one day, I will lose my belt, I am not quite as deluded as you are. But people need to learn that they have to be careful for what they wish for, trading me for somebody with an even bigger ego who is only playing these idiots so he can exploit their support in attempt to gain an edge over me will backfire spectacularly.
Ever since Xander’s historic first title reign came to a close in such a shambolic fashion this company has being crying out for a man of real quality to stand up and restore the honour this belt use to be so richly steeped in and I was the man who has done that.
All across the world people are feverishly awaiting our match this Sunday because people care about this belt again. You’ve played your part, even I won’t try to claim otherwise but ultimately people are no tuning in to see if you can earn your first world title…
They are tuning in to see if anybody can stop me.
I play the villain to create interest, by becoming detestable I have created a lust to see me get my head kicked in, a lust which has translated into interest for this product. Nobody cared about watching Todd steal a belt from Xander, once the initial glory pop wore off nobody care about Ricky Johnson and not even Xander Famularo cared all that much about his last title reign.
Yet now, people are tuning in to watch world title matches again and that is all thanks to me.
I have created the arena in which you are thriving, Mike. Do you think anybody would willingly provide you such artificial support, because let’s face it that is all it is, considering you couldn’t give a crap about the fans. Everyone has gotten behind you not because they truly care about the Mike Laszlo story, but because they are desperate to see me fail.
If I am gone, what do they have left?
A people’s champion who has never cared one iota about the people who watch this product beyond the millions of dollars they pour into this company.
There are some who feel that the sacrifice is worth taking if it means the end of my tyranny, but the truth of the matter is that whether people choose to cheer me or boo me, at least they care about me. You’re the flavour of the month, an artificial challenger created purely by my own machinations whose popularity is built solely on a yearning desire to see my given my comeuppance.
Without me Mike, nobody will care.
You will just be another transitional champion, just like those you’ve made a career of mocking from afar. Despite all of your bravado and delusions of grandeur, you will just be a placeholder until somebody comes along who the audience cares about. Perhaps that is my own fault, for plucking you from the pack with no build, no reason for people to truly invest in you.
Regardless, it is for this reason, as well as my own legacy, that I simply cannot allow you to defeat me this Sunday. One day, there will be a man worthy of taking this belt from me, somebody who has earned his moment in the sun and has the momentum to carry him onto further glories, not somebody who must start from scratch.
Until that moment arrives, I will not relinquish what I have fought so hard to build.
A lot more is at stake this weekend than simply our own personal glory, Mike. The future direction of this company hangs in the balance; will we continue to thrive under my dominion as me and Kelly build a better world or will we throw away all the hard work and start again from scratch simply to facilitate your insatiable ego?
The Roberto Verona Era, as you put it, will not end this Sunday. It has only just begun, just be pleased that ultimately, you have played a major role in the path my title reign will inevitably take. You’re the first step on the road to records which will be unrivalled for years and you will have played a pivotal part in that success.
Sometimes Mike, we have to play a supporting role in a greater story.
This Sunday, you will fulfil that part, as I go on to face new challenges. Your world title assault may be over, but if you’re a wise man you will learn from everything I have taught you for the past three months. One day you’ll get your chance, and next time you may even earn it.
This isn’t the culmination of my story.
It is merely the beginning of another chapter.
I will see you on Sunday, Mike. We will go to war but when the battle is done and smoke clears, it will be me who is stood with my arm raised aloft in defiance as your reigning, defending, undisputed NCW World Champion.
The Saviour of New Championship Wrestling.
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The fire crackles in Roberto Verona’s luxurious living room, the light reflecting across the numerous ornaments and replica championship belts as the warmth almost lulls Hannah Reed into a deep sleep. The lawyer lays draped across the sofa but as she hears the door open she leaps up enthusiastically like a merekat, her head bobbing up over the top of the furniture as Roberto closes the door behind him, tossing his coat over a nearby chair as he walks towards her.
Do I need to start booking you in advance nowadays? You’ve been a popular boy this week.
That’s what happens when you fall in love with the champ, Hannah. Everybody wants a piece of me, it’s even worse that I have been condemned with this devilishly handsome looks.
Roberto laughs to himself as he walks towards his girlfriend, eventually sitting down beside her.
It must be such a burden.
It’s just my cross to bear. Where is Jessica?
Hannah lays her head on Roberto’s shoulder, looking up at him.
She went to some bar with a few of her friends.
And she didn’t invite you?
No, she did.
Then what are you still doing here?
I wanted to spend time with you, is that a crime?
Not at all, I just don’t want you waiting up all night for me to come back, it’s a little clingy.
Hannah sits up before slapping Verona’ arm.
Stop spoiling the moment, I’m trying to be nice.
I can’t promise I’ll be much entertainment, Kelly had me record all of the publicity videos and interviews I missed during my brief hiatus. That girl needs to panic less.
She just wants to make her dad proud and leave her own mark on the company, she can’t help it if she was scared of losing one of her most valuable assets.
Perhaps, but let’s not talk about work anymore, this is the first bit of time I’ve had to myself all week.
Suddenly Hannah’s face is awash with concern.
Well in that case…
Roberto rolls his eyes and sighs, his patience for business clearly wearing thin.
Go on, spit it out.
I’m worried.
About what?
Your match this week…
I’ll be fine, don’t worry about it. What’s the worst Laszlo can do?
It isn’t Laszlo that I am worried about, it’s that…structure you’re entering.
It’s perfectly safe…
Suddenly the tone of Hannah’s voice changes, her emotions strangling every word.
Is it? Roberto, I know you. When you’re determined to prove a point you’ll go over the edge to do so, I’m a little scared you’re going to do something just to prove you deserve to be the champion and it terrifies me to think what that could be.
I will do whatever I have to do, don’t trouble yourself with images of my demise, Hannah. What happens, happens, don’t try to fight it, just accept it.
How can I accept that you might never walk again? Or worse?
By not obsessing about it. I could get on a plane tomorrow and never come back, you could climb in that car and wind up in a ditch somewhere. I have to prove that I deserve to be where I am, it doesn’t necessarily mean I need to do anything too audacious, but I need to shut the world out so I can just concentrate on doing what I do best.
Promise me you’ll look after yourself out there.
a few tears begin to form in her eyes as the horrible images flash in her mind.
Promise.
I can’t. All I can do is tell you that come Sunday, I will to lay down next to you and go to sleep like I do every night, win or lose. I’m not going anywhere, this business will not chew me up and spit me out like so many other men.
Roberto reaches over and strokes away the tears with his thumb, smiling as he does.
I don’t know what I’d do without you.
You won’t need to find out. Not for a long time yet.
As he wipes away the last tear he leans over to Hannah, pulling her head forward as he plants a soft kiss on her forehead. Gradually she begins to regain her composure before looking up at him, grasping his hand affectionately.
You don’t get to die first, you can’t leave me with Jessica. She’s my family, at least you can kick her out.
Don’t be so sure, how many times have I tried that yet she still keeps sneaking back in?
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The fire crackles in Roberto Verona’s luxurious living room, the light reflecting across the numerous ornaments and replica championship belts as the warmth almost lulls Hannah Reed into a deep sleep. The lawyer lays draped across the sofa but as she hears the door open she leaps up enthusiastically like a merekat, her head bobbing up over the top of the furniture as Roberto closes the door behind him, tossing his coat over a nearby chair as he walks towards her.
Do I need to start booking you in advance nowadays? You’ve been a popular boy this week.
That’s what happens when you fall in love with the champ, Hannah. Everybody wants a piece of me, it’s even worse that I have been condemned with this devilishly handsome looks.
Roberto laughs to himself as he walks towards his girlfriend, eventually sitting down beside her.
It must be such a burden.
It’s just my cross to bear. Where is Jessica?
Hannah lays her head on Roberto’s shoulder, looking up at him.
She went to some bar with a few of her friends.
And she didn’t invite you?
No, she did.
Then what are you still doing here?
I wanted to spend time with you, is that a crime?
Not at all, I just don’t want you waiting up all night for me to come back, it’s a little clingy.
Hannah sits up before slapping Verona’ arm.
Stop spoiling the moment, I’m trying to be nice.
I can’t promise I’ll be much entertainment, Kelly had me record all of the publicity videos and interviews I missed during my brief hiatus. That girl needs to panic less.
She just wants to make her dad proud and leave her own mark on the company, she can’t help it if she was scared of losing one of her most valuable assets.
Perhaps, but let’s not talk about work anymore, this is the first bit of time I’ve had to myself all week.
Suddenly Hannah’s face is awash with concern.
Well in that case…
Roberto rolls his eyes and sighs, his patience for business clearly wearing thin.
Go on, spit it out.
I’m worried.
About what?
Your match this week…
I’ll be fine, don’t worry about it. What’s the worst Laszlo can do?
It isn’t Laszlo that I am worried about, it’s that…structure you’re entering.
It’s perfectly safe…
Suddenly the tone of Hannah’s voice changes, her emotions strangling every word.
Is it? Roberto, I know you. When you’re determined to prove a point you’ll go over the edge to do so, I’m a little scared you’re going to do something just to prove you deserve to be the champion and it terrifies me to think what that could be.
I will do whatever I have to do, don’t trouble yourself with images of my demise, Hannah. What happens, happens, don’t try to fight it, just accept it.
How can I accept that you might never walk again? Or worse?
By not obsessing about it. I could get on a plane tomorrow and never come back, you could climb in that car and wind up in a ditch somewhere. I have to prove that I deserve to be where I am, it doesn’t necessarily mean I need to do anything too audacious, but I need to shut the world out so I can just concentrate on doing what I do best.
Promise me you’ll look after yourself out there.
a few tears begin to form in her eyes as the horrible images flash in her mind.
Promise.
I can’t. All I can do is tell you that come Sunday, I will to lay down next to you and go to sleep like I do every night, win or lose. I’m not going anywhere, this business will not chew me up and spit me out like so many other men.
Roberto reaches over and strokes away the tears with his thumb, smiling as he does.
I don’t know what I’d do without you.
You won’t need to find out. Not for a long time yet.
As he wipes away the last tear he leans over to Hannah, pulling her head forward as he plants a soft kiss on her forehead. Gradually she begins to regain her composure before looking up at him, grasping his hand affectionately.
You don’t get to die first, you can’t leave me with Jessica. She’s my family, at least you can kick her out.
Don’t be so sure, how many times have I tried that yet she still keeps sneaking back in?
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